UoM Humanities’ Post

Manchester is a vibrant city in the northwest of England, known for its rich industrial heritage, cultural scene, and sporting history. Here are a few highlights: History: Manchester played a pivotal role during the Industrial Revolution and is often referred to as the world’s first industrialized city. Culture: The city boasts numerous museums, galleries, and theaters, including the Manchester Art Gallery and the Museum of Science and Industry. Education: It’s home to the University of Manchester, one of the top universities in the UK. Sports: Manchester is famous for its football clubs, Manchester United and Manchester City, which have a huge global following.

How long do we have to continue to state these facts. When will education understand the power of the arts have on its young people and adults, how it can also positively affect the staff? It brings people together, it’s a feel good provision on every level. In my 11 years in FE I’ve witnessed a catastrophic decline in support & understanding from FE leadership who in my experience are more than happy to dine out on success stories which they were not involved in despite showing zero support. Industry .. there’s a whole seam you never get to get unless you work in education. The future looks bleak. With creative courses closing at FE year after year, there will be no next generation. What will the creative industries do then? Things must change. How can we do this? Our young creatives , the next lot of artists, performers, creatives and technicians deserve better .. 

"This Discussion Paper, written by Leila Jancovich, Lucrezia Gigante, and, Claire Burnill-Maier,  open investigates mechanisms that have been effectively deployed to support local cultural decision-making. Drawing on theories of participation, co-production and deliberative democracy, it explores the risks and opportunities of approaches such as public value, co-production, citizens’ assemblies, participatory budgeting, community asset transfers and place-based funding".

a journey worth taking

On 14th November Professor Simon Marginson from Department of Education, University of Oxford will be giving the prestigious The Worshipful Company of Drapers' Lecture at Queen Mary University of London, on the UK global research university in turbulent times.   Universities have always been highly international: it is central to their strengths, their identity and their contribution. What is the mission of a UK global research university today, how can policy-makers support them, and what is their accountability to stakeholders?   The UK’s post-Brexit loss of connections with Europe has been deeply felt by universities, and this has been echoed by revolts against internationalism in many parts of the world, which are now destabilising international education in several countries including UK. Geo-politics is also retarding international linkages especially in research. Policymakers in the UK are not engaged with the global mission. They are focused narrowly on graduate employment, which while important, is not the only thing that Universities bring. In this lecture Professor Marginson will be looking at where the problems lie, what we can be optimistic about in turbulent times: in short, the global (and decolonial possibilities) for UK universities.   You can sign up to join the lecture here: https://lnkd.in/e2ca6Ci8

In its 90 years of existence, the British Council has touched the lives of many people around the world in different ways. For countless individuals, it has provided training to acquire a life changing skill – proficiency in the English language. For numerous people, it has created a pathway to acquiring international qualifications. For some, it has offered access to world-class books and magazines through its libraries and there have been several moments in history when it has brought together artists and art forms from the UK and other countries, and continues to do so today. For those affected by wars and civil unrest, it has provided a space for constructive engagement through training and education. And for people like me, an average employee of the British Council, part of the tribe, it has given us a home where we can be we, expressing ourselves freely, sharing what we think works or doesn’t. It has provided us with opportunities to grow and learn, not to sit on the sidelines and watch, but to get involved in change—whether of processes, systems, or culture. At the same time, it has given us space and time to reflect and decide, when we were low on morale and motivation and didn’t feel like engaging, without judgement. It has stood by us, offering reassurance, when we were filled with self-doubt about whether or not we could deliver in our new roles. It has supported us during testing times when loved ones were ill and needed time, care and flexibility at work. It has remained by our side during those uncertain periods of COVID-19, when market demand was at an all-time low and jobs were at risk. In regions impacted by war, it has supported many who needed to be evacuated or relocated to safer places. Each one of us working for the British Council have our own reasons to stay on serving the organisation. No organisation is perfect, and no employee is perfect either, but those that have their hearts in the right place always find their way, choosing the right path and doing the right thing, and that keeps them going, 90 and beyond! #BritishCouncil90

Great short summary on the importance of the arts

Essential reading 📖 🎭 - considering what transformational impact this incredible industry achieves with modest support, imagine what we can achieve with proper investment.

This excellent Campaign for the Arts & University of Warwick report provides some compelling insights into arts funding in the UK.  Australia and New Zealand are similarly under severe funding pressure from Goverment. It's a no-brainer that government funding is essential for the arts and creativity to thrive. Additionally, organisations must be equipped with commercial and business development capabilities to articulate, leverage, and advocate their inherent value through strategic partnerships. These partnerships are essential to underpin organisational purpose and generate funds for growth. Empowering arts organisations with the self-sustaining skills to define an enterprise-wide understanding of their value proposition and strategically unlock it is not just about survival—it's about ensuring they continue to flourish and enrich our society. Strategic collaborations can unlock new opportunities, drive innovation, attract new audiences, and secure new capabilities, revenues, and funding streams. But yes, as Justine says, it's also a no-brainer that government funding is critical to providing organisations with the stability to plan for overall sustainability and lasting success. Additionally, sector-specific and organisational performance benchmarking across key measures is vital to evaluating performance, identifying new opportunities, and planning for success. Together, they can combine to create a vibrant, dynamic arts sector suitably equipped to meet today's and tomorrow's challenges. #ArtsFunding #StrategicPartnerships #ArtsLeadership #CulturalGrowth #CreativeIndustries #PerformanceBenchmarking #CreativeAustralia #CreativeVictoria #CreateNSW Sandwalk Partners